Solo Channel crossing

[The Professional]

I'm planning a Channel crossing on my own to deliver a boat, and then I will take the ferry back. The boat is a 32 ft 520hp cabin cruiser. The crossing is estimated to take 4-5 hours.

I've never done a Channel crossing on my own and I'd just like to get feedback on any extra precautions I may need to take or practicalities or any other warnings I need to be aware of and other tips.

I will have:
AIS, Radar, GPS
2 VHF radios
2 engines
Spare fuel
Mobile phone with extra power bank

Anything else I need to prepare for? Any other dangers I need to be aware of?

I'm thinking to start the trip morning and arrive around lunch time, is that a good time of day for the journey?

 

[Star-Lord]

Simples.

 

[LittleSister]

Where to start?

I am afraid that the questions you ask (here and elsewhere), and the way you pose them, lead me to suspect you are not up to it.

 

[slipknot]

Favourable weather forecast.

 

[Iliade]

From where to where? The sandbanks can and do change. The Belgians will fine you if you have red diesel in your tanks.

An up to date chart - There are firing ranges, shipping lanes to cross, turbines keep popping up, etc. and features like rocks can disappear on electronic charts.
An autopilot - it is very boring steering straight for five hours and you cannot do anything else without stopping.
An almanac for tidal, passage and port information.
A passport & two weeks free time on your return unless you are quick. I'm unsure what the French border controls due to CV-19 are right now, but all channel ports were closed.
Ship's papers. (registration, VAT, radio licence, ICC - though you are unlikely to be asked for that unless you hit something)
No out of date flares aboard.
Spare water pump impellers and the tools & skills to fix anything - Do seastart still exist?
A dinghy or life raft. (or a child's inflatable swan and a bit of patience ;0)
A flask of coffee - you don't want to try making one while at speed.
Gin & tonic to celebrate arrival.




With all the gizmos, don't forget to look out of the window and enjoy the trip - Keep a VERY good lookout for overloaded very small craft going the other way (and report them in) and very large & fast ships.

Typically the sea state will be calmest from before dawn through to mid morning. Ideally don't leave much after dawn so as to ensure the longest window of calm conditions. Thus enabling you to go fast and to see floating debris & pot markers readily. A wind that is offshore at your destination will be more pleasant than the other way around.

If you are unfamiliar with seafaring, a lifejacket worn all the way across and a PLB in your pocket. Don't nod off and don't fall off!

 

[LittleSister]

That's a brilliant summary, Iliade!

 

[Plum]

I'm planning a Channel crossing on my own to deliver a boat, and then I will take the ferry back. The boat is a 32 ft 520hp cabin cruiser. The crossing is estimated to take 4-5 hours.

I've never done a Channel crossing on my own and I'd just like to get feedback on any extra precautions I may need to take or practicalities or any other warnings I need to be aware of and other tips.

I will have:
AIS, Radar, GPS
2 VHF radios
2 engines
Spare fuel
Mobile phone with extra power bank

Anything else I need to prepare for? Any other dangers I need to be aware of?

I'm thinking to start the trip morning and arrive around lunch time, is that a good time of day for the journey?

Where are you starting from and going to?

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[Sharky34]

If you have to ask this question, do you really think you are competant enough?

 

[sarabande]

I know it's early in the morning Sharky, but you might have had time to read post #3.

 

[RichardS]

Where are you starting from and going to?

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

Very good question.

It's definitely not Dover - Calais ..... or, if it is, the engine is only firing on one cylinder.

Richard

 

[Poignard]

I'm planning a Channel crossing on my own to deliver a boat, and then I will take the ferry back. The boat is a 32 ft 520hp cabin cruiser. The crossing is estimated to take 4-5 hours.

I've never done a Channel crossing on my own and I'd just like to get feedback on any extra precautions I may need to take or practicalities or any other warnings I need to be aware of and other tips.

I will have:
AIS, Radar, GPS
2 VHF radios
2 engines
Spare fuel
Mobile phone with extra power bank

Anything else I need to prepare for? Any other dangers I need to be aware of?

I'm thinking to start the trip morning and arrive around lunch time, is that a good time of day for the journey?

'

A pleasant way to spend a morning: and a nice sense of achievement when you complete your first solo trip abroad.

Enjoy yourself.

 

[Sharky34]

I know it's early in the morning Sharky, but you might have had time to read post #3.

Mine was more to the point.

 

[Wansworth]

It’s all in the mind,early man feared the unknown and early navigators stayed close to visible land the fear of the unknown is buried deep in are collective memory,but at the speed you will be going it’s possible you will not loose sight of land!

 

[doug748]

Crab pots etc are probably the biggest danger to a well found boat of that type, keep you eyes open.
You must be competent or at least have some firm ideas, about how to bring the boat alongside singlehanded.

 

[Sharky34]

Crab pots etc are probably the biggest danger to a well found boat of that type, keep you eyes open.
You must be competent or at least have some firm ideas, about how to bring the boat alongside singlehanded.

Just run it up on a beach, like all the other migrants.

 

[colhel]

If you have to ask this question, do you really think you are competant enough?

So only incompetent people should ask questions then?

 

[Sharky34]

So only incompetent people should ask questions then?

Depends upon the question doesn't it.

 

[penberth3]

I'm planning a Channel crossing on my own to deliver a boat, and then I will take the ferry back. The boat is a 32 ft 520hp cabin cruiser. The crossing is estimated to take 4-5 hours.....

Why solo? Is there any reason not to take an extra pair of hands and eyes, which might be helpful.

 

[RJJ]

Where to start?

I am afraid that the questions you ask (here and elsewhere), and the way you pose them, lead me to suspect you are not up to it.

I didn't read that into it.

We all take responsibility for ourselves every time we go to sea. Long may it continue. And long live everyone who asks for advice.

How about "It's not a trivial undertaking and there are lots of risks. Only you can take responsibility for managing and mitigating them. Please do be sure of your abilities as the consequences of failure are more serious, and help typically more remote, when you go offshore".

Then "here's a list of things to think about that are specific to a medium-length solo offshore passage by motorboat".

If the OP doesn't understand the list you offer, hopefully he'll have the good sense to think his knowledge and experience levels through accordingly.

For me, the most important thing is sensible weather and tidal planning, overlaid with knowledge of the boat's capabilities and your own. On a calm day and with luck on the tidal gates, any fool (and I mean fool) can make it across in a well-found motorboat. Doesn't make it clever to count on it.

Do you have a liferaft and know how to use it? Do you have a good LJ? How will you communicate? What if your engine or fuel supply fails? How will you cross the shipping lanes? Hopefully you will have answers to all of these before you set off.

 

[LadyInBed]

Anything else I need to prepare for?

Prep for the possibility that something might cause the passage time to be longer than expected.
Unlike a sail boat where you can leave the helm on auto and go below and cook a meal, at your probable cruising speed, a hot drink and a food flask are worth having to hand so you can maintain a watch.
You don't mention documentation, minimum required is passport and SSR, marinas like you to be insured. If you are insured for UK Coastal waters you will need to get it extended for X channel, probably won't even cost anything for a one off.
I'm sure some may post with a plethora of other docs and qualifications you should have, but if it's not your boat that you are delivering then maybe permission from the owned to use the boat and if it is going to a new owner boat docs might be handy.